Companies working at record high capacity

The rapid acceleration of the economy surprised economists and entrepreneurs in 2006. National demand increased by 5.8%. In 2006 steel production rose by 40% thanks to better use of technology and investments. In order to keep up with demand, companies are working in three-short shift systems and some have begun to introduce a fourth shift during the weekend. For example, ProfiM, one of the biggest producer of chairs, now operates this four-shift system. Thanks to that, the company increased its production by several thousands chairs a month. Also brewer Kompania Piwowarska had to introduced a forth shift during the summer when beer sales rose by 7%. According to estimates, the best use of production capacity is in corporations that employ at least 2,000 people. (Rzeczpospolita, February 10-11, p. B1) M.M.